Dumas, Sarah: Travel Grant - 2016-2017

Assessing the impact of small-scale, semi-intensive egg production agribusinesses on maternal and child nutrition

Project Abstract:

Animal source foods (ASF) are rich in micro- and macronutrients, and there is evidence that ASF consumption improves child nutrition. Yet, for many children in low-income countries, ASF consumption is limited by availability, cost, and caregiver knowledge. Many programs have aimed to increase ASF consumption in low-income countries by improving livestock productivity, but there is little evidence that this approach has improved child nutrition. Village-scale egg production is a novel approach, because it uses a business model to sustainably change the food environment of entire communities. We aim to investigate the impact of this model on the diets, food security, and nutritional status of women and children in rural Zambian communities.